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Bjørn Vassnes, Science Journalist, Norway, reports about a recent outbreak of a science debate in Norway:

Normally, science is not a subject in Norway. And even the biggest newpapers do not have science reporters, even if Norwegians read more papers than anyone. Then, suddenly, the whole nation is discussing science: in the newspapers, on the TV, in the radio, and most of all in blogs and other internet media. With a temperature that you usually find in much more southernly countries.

The heat is generated by Harald Eia, a TV-comedian turned science reporter, who is exposing social scientists and gender researchers in a not very flattering manner in a TV series called «Brainwashed». The uproar started already last summer, more than half a year before the series was ready. Some social scientists who had been interviewed by Eia, went out in the press to say they felt they had been fooled, tricked to expose themselves by «dubious» tactics.

Dear members of R&MN,
I am collaborating with UN interagency (UNDP, UNOPS, ILO, UNIFEM, UNESCO, UNITAR, UNHCR, WHO) program IDEASS (Innovation for Development and South-South Cooperation) in Central America.

IDEASS is part of the UN ART Initiative (Articulating Territorial and Thematic Networks for Human Development), a new form of multilateralism, involving international organizations, national governments, local authorities, non state actors, NGO, universities and civil society in International Cooperation programs in which people in Developing Countries are the main actors of their own sustainable human development.

In particular, IDEASS aims to build capacity for technology transfer in eco-innovation, focusing on SMEs and developing countries. Its activities center on getting environmentally and socially sustainable products and services from research to market, improving market conditions and bringing affordable, easy to operate and fast to apply eco-innovative responses to specific needs of developing countries.

Long term objective of IDEASS are to enhance a World network and to develop a reliable database of effective experiences to share knowledge and support SMEs in South to South, North to South and South to North partnerships for a Human Development in International Cooperation.

The on going Central America project, involving Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras, focuses on recycling technologies. I am responsible to assess a World 10 Best Recycling Technologies Catalog to be presented in promotion initiatives for SMEs in those countries. The technologies have to respect the requirements cited above.

ART Initiative and IDEASS consider Universities and Research centers fundamental in this knowledge sharing and networking processes. That's why they are the first subjects invited to participate.

Every participant is required to fill a specific form to present the technology. They will be owners of all the copyrights, patents and credits. They will be cited in all the publications and involved in eventual industrial applications and investments. Moreover they will be part of an international database. The more efficient and valid products will be part of an international permanent catalog that IDEASS will present all over the world for future employs in other countries for Development projects and partnerships.

I will be the coordinator of this first operative step on behave of Giulia Dario, UNOPS - IDEASS International Secretary, managing the relations with the selected organizing counterpart, the University of Central America in El Salvador.

If you are interested in it, please refer to me for any kind of communication.
I ll look forward to engage you and the organization you represent in the first step of this project.